Shahaf Foundation firmly believes that enhancing community and community-building efforts among senior citizens is a vital strategy in addressing the complexities associated with aging.

 

Strengthening these communal ties not only alleviates loneliness and isolation but also promotes a sense of belonging and purpose, thereby improving the overall well-being of our elderly population.

Building on the positive development trends observed in local senior citizen communities, the Senior Citizens Administration in the Ministry of Welfare and Social Security, along with the Shahaf Foundation, recognize the necessity of developing this innovative response.

This initiative will form part of a continuum of community-based responses for senior citizens, aiming to support, learn from, and enhance existing activities.
Furthermore, it seeks to integrate these efforts into ministerial policy, ensuring a comprehensive and cohesive approach to addressing the needs of the elderly population.

Goals

• Develop diverse and innovative responses and models that address the evolving needs of senior citizens in the community, with a long-term perspective

• Tackle the issue of loneliness, enhance the sense of belonging and meaning for senior citizens, thereby reducing dependency on various systems and promoting optimal aging

• Deepen social participation, influence, and civic engagement among senior citizens in the community

• Extract knowledge and develop professional doctrines, making them accessible as tools for community building for senior citizens across various models

 

Action Methods

• Provide assistance and support for the establishment and activities of existing senior citizen communities, as well as those in early pre-establishment stages

• Establish a professional support system to offer guidance in areas such as vision formulation, goal setting, financial and legal management, decision-making processes, partnership creation and community-building strategies

• Collaborate with stakeholders in the ecosystem to create tailored partnership opportunities that meet the needs of senior citizen communities during their formation and establishment stages

Community Impact
This initiative is pivotal in addressing the multifaceted challenges faced by senior citizens in modern society. By fostering a sense of community and belonging, it directly combats loneliness and isolation, which are prevalent issues among the elderly.
The focus on innovative and diverse responses ensures that the varying needs of senior citizens are met, promoting a healthier, more engaged, and active aging process.
Additionally, by deepening social participation and civic engagement, this initiative not only enhances the quality of life for senior citizens, but also enriches the community as a whole.
The development and dissemination of professional knowledge and practices further ensure that these efforts are sustainable and replicable, creating a lasting impact on the well-being of senior citizens across Israel.